The sky.....

 .......never disappoints. It's awesome to catch one of these sunsets as I did driving home on Thursday. Yes, I did stop the car and get out. I can't resist when I see one of these. I consider it a privilege whenever I get to see one......

I don't get up early enough but every once in a while I get the leftovers of a beautiful sunrise through my bedroom window. It comes through in bright coral and blue stripes and once again, I feel so gifted when it happens. 

We've had snow all day today....didn't take pics but we are grateful for that gift as well. It made for a beautiful day to be in church and give thanks for this moisture that we pray so fervently for. This was Friday morning, Feb. 7. My goodness, we are at the middle of the month already. So what's happening in this month of February. I got to spend some time with my kids this past week......when I was surprised by Kyle's family, they came to watch the Super Bowl with us. It isn't really that important but we all wanted KC to win.....I like Mahomes and we all like Andy Reid. Fun to see him get his first win but mostly fun to have a visit with my family. The children are growing and getting too busy any more to come to Pine Valley but I'm so proud of all that they are doing and I'm especially proud of George and the great missionary he is.

I put Matty in charge of the relish tray.....um, talk about creativity. Very impressive.

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 This week I've enjoyed spending time with the littles and made them hand-warmers (fingerless mittens) and hats. Lauri's pom-poms just scream for a hat. I especially love having a hobby to do on these long, sit-by-the-fire days.  Today I continued listening to "Little Women" on audible. I saw the movie a few weeks back and it was really good but nothing is quite as good as the book and I have especially loved having it read to me. One of today's chapters was number 8.....especially a good one for a lesson on anger. If you have a minute you might want to read that one and there are so many lessons to be learned. This is the chapter when Amy burns Jo's manuscript that she has been working so hard on, justifying the act as revenge for not getting to go to the ball. Jo finds out.....as Amy confessed...."Yes, I did it. I told you I'd make you pay for being so cross yesterday and I have, so....." Amy got no further as Jo's hot temper mastered her, and she shook Amy till her teeth chattered in her head, crying, in a passion of grief and anger."  Jo's book was the pride of her heart......"I could never write it again." She says.  The storm cleared before Marmy came home.  The house wasn't very cheery that night but Mrs. March whispered to Jo as she said good night......" MY DEAR, DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN UPON YOUR ANGER; FORGIVE EACH OTHER, HELP EACH OTHER, AND BEGIN AGAIN TOMORROW....and then she goes on to counsel her daughter how she conquered her anger. Oh, that we all could do that.....but we can work on it and no one needs it more than me. In our Relief Society lesson one of the sisters said....."We pray for God's arms to be around us and his hand to be over our mouth." I loved that. Mrs. March admitted that she wasn't patient by nature but her husband helped her because of his calm, peaceful demeanor.....it was always an example to her. I feel like I can say the same. I don't get far here in my Pine Valley home as my temper flares....Randy is always so patient that I try (along with my medication daily) to pray for peace and self control. It's a parents' sincerest prayer that her children come to her as Jo did.......Jo held her mother tight......"and in the silence which followed the sincerest prayer she had ever prayed left her heart without words; for in that sad yet happy hour, she had learned not only the bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of self-denial and self-control; and led by her mother's hand, she had drawn nearer to Him, our Friend who welcomes every child with a love stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother."

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This is Randy and I love the look on his face 'cause it says just what I would be thinking if I were him and had to face shoulder surgery in 4 days from now.....here we go......and he is excited to finally get this problem fixed and move on to more pleasant things.......like cruising with the top down pain free. Pray for him......and me. We will be recuperating in Joyce's basement. Would love visits and treats.

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GEORGE HAS MOXIE.....

I looked it up in Webster's Dictionary and this is what it is.....it takes … moxie to pull up roots and go to a land where the culture and probably the language are totally foreign. 

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May we all have Moxie throughout the week...( ENERGY, PEP

woke up full of  Moxie ) and peace in knowing we all have a Friend who wants to help us on this journey.

Sunshine, yarn and mountain air.....

....and it doesn't get much better than that. Such a warm, nice day today, I had to stay outside as long as the sun would let me and one of my favorite hobbies, is yarn either knitting or crocheting....I love them both but crochet is easier and goes lots faster and I'm starting to like how things turn out. I'm practicing different stitches now as I work on hats. Hats are always needed up here (let me know if you need one) and I have enjoyed making them.  This hobby has helped me get through a lot of tough times and keep me out of the mental institution. I learned it from my grandma. I used to crochet hats in school (actually in class, I sat on the back row). School caused me a lot of anxiety. I crocheted an afghan when I lost my baby in 1980. It really did sooth my soul and when Scott was sick and I spent a lot of time in the hospital, I would crochet hot-pot holders and give them to the nurses. Everyone needs a hobby. Someone taught Mason to knit.....I'm sure it got him through a lot of anxiety in dental school. Impressive, right?.......................

I told Randy he needed a hobby. He'll have shoulder surgery soon and the days will get pretty long.  I offered to teach him to knit.....he refused but....he started a puzzle.....

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....and you won't see me assisting. This drives me craaaaaazy. I prefer sewing the same stitch over and over again, hours on end and seeing my finished product way faster than a puzzle but it's just what his family does.....and I'm sure many families do it but not mine and not my mother's family. Nope, no puzzles in our house, E V E R but if it helps him kill some time, I'm grateful. As we are thinking about this upcoming surgery, I actually had a panic attack yesterday thinking of all the things Randy does for us that he won't be able to do any more, that I will have to do.....like VACUUMING.....I'll have to figure out how to run the vacuum.....or maybe he can do it left handed. Hauling wood....cooking, organizing......at least he did get my taxes done. We will be fine but he sure does a lot around here and I really appreciate him. It will be my honor to help him get better. He sure does need that right arm (without pain) so he can get back to his most important task...making money. Good chance for us to face reality for a few months and have to cut back......like not buying stuff like sports cars.

Low mileage, decent price and a whole lot of fun not to mention, it's on my bucket list....I love convertibles. A hobby? You might say, yes but it sparks joy. 

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I can't leave this post and this day without remembering my dear mother who left us 2 years ago today. She had hobbies.....mostly cleaning house and staying organized and serving others.

She would start and end her day in service.  She loved to bake and give wonderful cakes, cookies, pies, and bread to her neighbors.  When we were little we would run her delectible goodies around the neighborhood or take fresh milk and cream from dad's cows to neighbors and friends in need. I baked today.......in her honor......and took some cookies to a few friends.I couldn't get this picture to turn the right way but I'll work on it.  I don't do much service up here in Pine Valley but I do like to give away the things I make and hope it sparks joy in someone's day......and speaking of sparking joy in someone's day....I felt joy today as I love to just "be" here. Everything is looking drab but that just tells us spring is on it's way and I've said this before and I'll say it again.....I LOVE 4 SEASONS. Here is my home today, February 1, 2020.

The first daffodil will be blooming soon in St. George.....weird, huh? Only 30 miles difference and I do love to drive to the warm once in a while but I prefer living in the cold......and getting warm.....

right here. Looks like it needs a dusting....but that's the way it always is. Here's a shot as we drove

home yesterday from town to show the contrast of just 30 miles. Those clouds love to settle on our mountains.  And never forget that........

"BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS NEED CLOUDY SKIES"

May your soul be bright......even when the day is not.